5,000 firms sign up to Disability Confident scheme

Employers are being urged to sign up to the Disability Confident scheme, as TBT Recruitment become the 5,000th organisation to register, according to the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP).

Disability Confident is a voluntary scheme designed to encourage disability-friendly workplace practices that has been around since 2013.

It gives guidance, self assessments and resources to employers, in return for them making a commitment to the disabled community, such as providing work experience, traineeships or paid work.

Construction recruitment specialist, TBT Recruitment, has become the 5,000th firm to sign up to the scheme.

Managing director Scott Jeffrey said: "Being part of the scheme supports our commitment to providing qualified candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds to construction, rail and highways projects all over the UK."

Almost a fifth of the working age population is disabled, according to the website Gov.uk. Official figures show almost 600,000 disabled people have entered the workforce over the last four years, but the DWP says more needs to be done.

The Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, Penny Mordaunt, says employers signed up to the scheme are making a public commitment to improve opportunities for disabled people. These range from small start-ups to influential businesses

She said: "Disabled people make up a significant proportion of the potential workforce, and employers must ensure they don't miss out on some of the best talent in their community."

Currently, only a fifth (21) of FTSE 100 companies are signed up to the scheme. These include BT, Marks and Spencer and Royal Mail.

Ms Mordaunt added: "I urge our country's top businesses to use their power and influence to set the agenda on disability employment for companies everywhere."

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